Enjoy exciting Japan offers with Visa cards during Lunar New Year vacation and all-year-round

Travelling abroad for Lunar New Year vacation has become increasingly popular for Hong Kong people. According to a Weekend Weekly survey commissioned by Visa in January1, Japan voted as the most preferred travel destination. For the upcoming holiday, Visa provides numerous travel privileges and benefits for Visa cardholders through three campaigns in tourists’ favorite cities: Harajuku/Omotesando, Kyoto and Sapporo.

Highlights of campaigns2 are as follows:

Tokyo Shopping Week 2017

From now until February 28, 2017, Visa will host a “Tokyo Shopping Week 2017”. This year, the campaign is extended to a new area, the Harajuku Takeshita-dori Shopping District (Takeshita-dori hereinafter) – mecca of the fashion and culture for young people in Japan. During the campaign period, Visa will give a warm welcome to tourists through the Street Campaign Flags and conduct a Scratch & Win Campaign that more than 4,000 Winners can get a voucher up to JPY 10,000 (around US$85.06) when a shopper spends more than JPY 1,000 (around US$8.5) in a participating shops. Shoppers will receive 1 more scratch card if payment is made with Visa cards.

Hokkaido Consumer Usage Lucky Draw Campaign

From now until March 31, 2017, Visa will launch Hokkaido Consumer Usage Lucky Draw Campaign. Consumer who spend more than JPY 3,000 (around US$25.49) can enter the drawing; 5 winners will win “Trunk with Assortment of Hokkaido Delights” which is fully packed with famous products from all parts of Hokkaido including local specialities and exquisite items favored by connoisseurs. Another 200 winners can also get “Bag with Hokkaido Snacks”.

From now till February 5, 2017, Visa will launch Arashiyama Shopping Campaign. During the campaign period, shoppers will receive 1 lucky draw ticket for every JPY 2,000 (around US$17) spent, for a chance to win a traditional souvenir. Shoppers will receive 1 more ticket if payment is made with Visa cards.

Moreover, from February 1 to February 28, 2017, Visa is hosting a Kyoto Restaurant Winter Special Campaign, diners can enjoy a special “authentic Kyoto cuisine” at 198 participating restaurants in Kyoto. During the campaign period, diners who spend more than JPY 1,500 (around US$12.74) at can enter the drawing to win a voucher up to JPY 3,000 (around US$25.49).

In addition to campaigns in the above designated cities, Visa is also providing Visa cardholders various Japan offers throughout the entire year, making it possible for cardholders to enhance their travel experience in Japan.

Highlights of offers are as follows:

Iconic Merchant Offers

The BIC Camera, Yodobashi Camera, Sofmap, and Kojima are popular electronics shopping spots in Japan. From now until October 31, 2017, Visa cardholders can enjoy a 5 percent discount with any purchase of JPY 5,264 (around US$45.17) or more in a single receipt at BIC Camera, Sofmap, Kojima. In addition, Visa cardholders can also enjoy 5 percent discount at Yodobashi Camera with purchase of JYP 5,400 (around US$46.33) or more.

Department Store Offers

Cardholders can shop for souvenirs and enjoy great discounts with Visa at various department stores. Until October 31, 2017, Visa cardholders can receive JPY 1,000 (around US$8.58) gift coupon at PARCO with any same day Visa transaction receipts over JPY30,000 (around US$257.41). Additionally, Visa is also offering its cardholders JPY 1,000 (around US$8.58) gift coupon with any same day Visa transaction receipts over JPY 50,000 (around US$429.02) at Isetan Shinjuku Store, JR Kyoto Isetan, Mitsukoshi, Marui Imai Sapporo Main Store, and Iwataya Main Store.

Visa is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and governments in more than 200 countries and territories to fast, secure and reliable electronic payments. We operate one of the world's most advanced processing networks — VisaNet — that is capable of handling more than 65,000 transaction messages a second, with fraud protection for consumers and assured payment for merchants. Visa is not a bank and does not issue cards, extend credit or set rates or fees for consumers. Visa's innovations, however, enable its financial institution customers to offer consumers more choices: pay now with debit, pay ahead of time with prepaid or pay later with credit products. For more information: visit www.visa-asia.com, visaapnews.asia and @VisaNews.